San Marino

Distance from Riccione: 25 km
By car: 30 minutes via SS72 Rimini-San Marino dual carriageway
By bus: from Rimini Stazione FS (reachable by Metromare from Riccione), Benedettini line to San Marino, 45 minutes
Recommended duration: half a day (3-4 hours), full day with museums and lunch
Ideal for: everyone, couples, families, history enthusiasts, shopping lovers
Directions: Open route on Google Maps

The Republic of San Marino is the oldest republic in the world and one of the smallest sovereign states, perched on Monte Titano at 738 metres above sea level. From Riccione it takes just 30 minutes by car, and the contrast between the morning beach and the three medieval towers in the afternoon is one of the great pleasures of the Romagna riviera. The old town, with its narrow stone lanes, artisan shops, three fortresses and views over the Adriatic coast, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008. On top of that, San Marino is an independent state with its own rules: you pay in euros, but perfumes, spirits and certain goods cost less than in Italy.

How to get to San Marino from Riccione

By car, from Riccione take the A14 to the Rimini Sud exit, then the SS72 dual carriageway that climbs directly to Monte Titano over about 22 km. The total journey from Riccione is roughly 30 minutes outside peak times. The road is smooth-flowing but has many bends in the final uphill stretch.

Without a car, take the Metromare from Riccione to Rimini Stazione FS (23 minutes), then the Benedettini bus to San Marino (around 45 minutes, stops at Borgo Maggiore then Piazzale della Stazione). From Borgo Maggiore, the cable car whisks you up to the old town in 2 minutes, a spectacular panoramic ride that is worth the trip in itself.

To enter the Republic of San Marino you need a valid identity document (national ID card or passport). There is no full border checkpoint, but checks may be carried out.

Where to park in San Marino

San Marino has 13 car parks spread along the road up Monte Titano, all paid. Rates are: €1.50/hour, €3.00 for 2 hours, €4.50 for 3 to 5 hours, €8.00 for the full day. Coins or cards only.

The handiest car parks are P9 (multi-storey, covered, with panoramic lifts that take you directly to the old town, the most convenient but fills up early) and P1 (along the walls at Porta San Francesco, a short walk from the old town entrance). For those who prefer the cable car, P11 at Borgo Maggiore is the ideal choice: park and ride the cable car up in 2 minutes.

On busy days (summer weekends, holidays) you may be directed to P12, further out but with a free shuttle to the centre. P13 is reserved for camper vans, with a serviced area 300 metres from the cable car.

What to see in San Marino's old town

San Marino's old town is a maze of pedestrian stone lanes running along the crest of Monte Titano, with views that on clear days stretch from the Adriatic coast to Croatia. The classic route starts at Porta San Francesco and winds uphill to the three towers.

Piazza della Libertà is the institutional heart of the republic: here stands the Palazzo Pubblico, seat of the government and parliament, designed by Roman architect Francesco Azzurri and inaugurated in 1894 with a speech by Giosuè Carducci. The square offers a spectacular view over the valley below. A few steps away, the Basilica del Santo holds the relics of Saint Marinus, the Dalmatian stonemason who in the 4th century founded the community on Monte Titano to escape the persecutions of Diocletian.

The Three Towers are the symbol of San Marino, depicted on the flag and coins. The Guaita (First Tower) is the oldest and most imposing, with 360-degree views; the Cesta (Second Tower), at the highest point of Titano, houses the Museum of Ancient Weapons; the Montale (Third Tower) is the smallest and not open inside, but reachable on foot along a panoramic path. The walk between the three towers takes about 40-50 minutes along the ridges, with memorable views.

Among the museums: the Museo di Stato (archaeological, artistic and historical collections), the Pinacoteca San Francesco, the National Gallery of Modern Art and the Stamp and Coin Museum, San Marino is a historic destination for philatelists and numismatists. The Multi Museum Pass (€11 full, €8 reduced) gives access to 7 venues including the two visitable towers and the Palazzo Pubblico, valid for 10 days.

The San Marino cable car: 2 minutes suspended over the riviera

The cable car connects Borgo Maggiore to the old town of San Marino Città, covering a height difference of 166 metres in about 2 minutes. During the ascent, the view over the Adriatic coast is spectacular, on clear days you can see over 200 km of coastline. Departures every 15 minutes.

The cable car runs all year (with a break for annual maintenance in February-March). Fares: single ride €3.00, return €5.00, groups of 25+ €4.00 return. In summer (July to early September) it operates until midnight, turning the evening return into a night-time experience with the riviera lights below your feet.

Shopping in San Marino: what is worth buying

San Marino has a long commercial tradition that draws visitors from across the riviera. As an independent state, it has its own tax regime, making certain products more affordable than in Italy. The most interesting shopping sectors are perfumes and cosmetics, spirits (San Marino's distilleries produce hundreds of varieties), tobacco, leather goods (handcrafted bags and shoes) and jewellery.

For collectors, San Marino is a paradise: the republic's stamps and coins are sought after worldwide. They can be purchased in the numismatic shops in the centre and at the Stamp Museum. Among the most distinctive souvenirs: decorative medieval weapon replicas (swords, daggers, crossbows), ceramics and handcrafted leather goods.

The shops line the pedestrian streets of the old town, from Porta San Francesco to Piazza della Libertà. It is an experience of slow, picturesque shopping among stone-carved shop fronts and glimpses of the panorama.

Where to eat in San Marino

San Marino's cuisine is a crossover between Romagna and Marche traditions, with specialities of its own. Typical dishes are passatelli in brodo, piada (the San Marino version, slightly thicker), pasta e ceci (pasta with chickpeas), rabbit in porchetta, tagliatelle with wild boar ragù and Torta Tre Monti (a layered cake of wafers and chocolate that has become the republic's signature edible souvenir).

Restaurant prices in the old town are in line with the Romagna riviera, not higher, as some people fear. Among the most popular: Righi - La Taverna (refined cuisine with panoramic terrace, one of the best-known restaurants), Ristorante Bolognese (historic trattoria, traditional cooking), La Fratta (charcoal-grilled meat specialities in a rustic setting) and piadinerie scattered around the village for a quick and affordable lunch. For an aperitivo with a view, several bars along the walls have terraces overlooking the valley.

San Marino with children

Children love San Marino. The medieval towers, the ridge-top walkways, the shops full of swords and armour and the cable car are natural attractions for young visitors. The walk between the three towers is adventurous but manageable (watch out for the sheer drops: railings are not everywhere).

For families with older children, San Marino Adventures offers woodland adventure courses (Tibetan bridges, zip-lines, climbing) at various difficulty levels. The Titanus Museum is an interactive multimedia experience on the history of the republic, engaging for all ages.

The old town is all uphill with steps: a pushchair works on the main routes but is hard going on the paths to the towers. The cable car is accessible and avoids the climb on foot from Borgo Maggiore.

💡 Practical tips

1. Car park P9 or cable car. The P9 multi-storey has panoramic lifts straight to the old town, the most convenient option but it fills up early. The alternative is to park at Borgo Maggiore (P11) and ride the cable car up: more fun, more scenic and less stressful than hunting for a space at the top.

2. Identity document. Bring your national ID card or passport. It is not always checked, but without a document you could run into problems.

3. You pay in euros. San Marino uses the euro. Credit and debit cards are accepted almost everywhere, but carry some coins for the parking meters (not all take cards).

4. Avoid summer weekends. On Sundays in summer San Marino is packed. The best time is a weekday, or late afternoon when the tour groups have left and the light is perfect for photos from the towers.

5. Combine with Rimini. The classic day trip: morning in Rimini (old town + lunch at Borgo San Giuliano), afternoon in San Marino. Or the other way round: San Marino in the morning when it is quieter, then head down to the sea.

6. Torta Tre Monti. The ultimate edible souvenir: crunchy wafers layered with chocolate, packaged in its blue box with the three towers. Available in every pastry shop and store in the centre.

Useful information

Multi Museum Pass: €11 full (€8 reduced), 7 venues including First Tower, Second Tower, Palazzo Pubblico, Museo di Stato, Museo San Francesco, National Gallery, Stamp and Coin Museum, valid 10 days
Cable car Borgo Maggiore → Old town: every 15 min, €3 single, €5 return, in summer open until midnight
Parking: €1.50/h, €8 full day, P9 (multi-storey with lifts) and P11 (cable car) recommended
Bus from Rimini: Benedettini line from Stazione FS, ~45 minutes
Document: valid national ID card or passport
Combine with: Rimini (30 minutes, the classic combination) - San Leo (40 minutes, for two fortresses in one day)

Frequently asked questions about San Marino

You might also be interested in

San Marino pairs easily with other destinations for a varied day out from your base in Riccione:

• Rimini - 30 minutes from San Marino: the classic sea + mountain combination. Morning in Rimini, afternoon in San Marino (or the other way round).
• San Leo - Cagliostro's Fortress, 40 minutes from San Marino in the hinterland. For those who want two panoramic fortresses in one day.
• Gradara - The castle of Paolo and Francesca, 40 minutes away. Another medieval fortress, with a completely different story.
• Pennabilli - Tonino Guerra's Places of the Soul, 50 minutes away. For those who want to explore the upper Marecchia valley after San Marino.